Petrak back to old, fast, winning ways in Unity College 5K

Photo by: Zack MillerDavid Benn, left, and Bob Johnston near the finish of the 37th annual Unity College 5-Kilometer Road Race on April 20.

Unity — Wet, humid spring weather may have deterred some from participation, but 26 hardy souls turned out on Saturday morning, April 20 for the 37th annual Unity College 5-Kilometer Road Race and one familiar runner again blistered the fast course.

Kevin "Gus" Petrak, a multi-time winner of the event, was back to his old — and fast — tricks as he crossed the 3.1-mile course in 16 minutes and 44 seconds, a whopping 1:29 faster than the field.

Petrak is the longtime track-and-field coach at Mount View High School.

Watch video and see more photos below.

Joshua Plog finished second at 18:13, while Anstasia Zajchowski was the first female finisher in 12th at 23:12.

The race is unique because it often attracts a bundle of Unity College students and has an easier, downhill start at the top of the campus, which sits on a significant high spot.

The race course includes the school’s campus and roads of the town.

The rural setting of the campus is relaxed and comfortable and the long downhill start is advantageous for those who look to get a quick start in the 3.1-mile race that stretches out and back through Unity.

It is one of the fastest and flattest 3.1-mile courses in the state. It begins and ends at Unity College.

For more information, email race director Tim Lecrone at tlecrone@unity.edu.